Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

Module - CE 2132 Soil Mechanics and Geology-11

Assignment Permeability Test Marks 10%
Learning Ability to conduct a constant head and falling head permeability tests
Outcome Ability to evaluate the coefficient of permeability for course grained
and fine grained soils
Ability to interpret the permeability test data
Ability to discuss the applications of the laboratory and field
permeability tests in geotechnical engineering
Programme 1. Application of knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering 1
Outcomes 2. Effective communication 1
3. In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline 2
4. Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution 2
5. Ability to utilize a systems approach to design and operational
2
performance
6. Individual and team work 1
7. Understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental
responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for 0
sustainable development
8. Understanding of the principles of sustainable design and development 0
9. Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and
1
commitment to them
10. Expectation of the need to undertake life-long learning and capacity to
0
do so
0 not covered under this 1 covered to some extent
2 covered to a greater extent 3 one of the main themes of the subject
Lecturer Dr. L. I. N. de Silva
Student Name
Registration Number:
Date of Assignment: Date Due:
Initial Submission Date: Re Submission Date:

Assessed By:

Signature Date

Lec

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Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

Important
1. Please note that plagiarism is treated as a serious offence and therefore the work you
produce must be individual and original.
2. All sources of information must be eferencing
a reference list/Bibliography should be included at the end of the assignment. (You
may refer the information given in
http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm)
3. Please note that the submission date given for the assignment (14 days after the date of
performance for the laboratory session) is the final date that you can submit the
assignment. If the given submission date is a public holiday, redefined submission
deadline will be at 1300 hr of the immediate following working day. Late submissions
will be graded lower.
4. Assignments returned to students for corrections must be re-submitted within 10
days
5. Failure to re-submit the previously marked assignment with the re-submitted
assignment will mean that results cannot be released for the respective unit.

Plagiarism

Although research and discussion form an essential part of the assignment, deliberate
copying of the work of others or unacknowledged copying from printed or electronic
sources is NOT permitted. Disciplinary actions will be taken against those who are found
guilty of plagiarism. Signing of this sheet is required to indicate your compliance with the
above regulations.

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feedback, (After the the submission) if any:

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Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

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Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

PERMEABILITY TEST

This test demonstrates the laboratory measurement of coefficient of permeability of soil

using
(1). Constant Head Permeameter
(2). Falling Head Permeameter

2. Theory

The principal of the constant head permeameter is illustrated in Fig. 1. Water from the

The water flowing through the sample is collected in a measuring cylinder to find the

-
v ki
Q/ Axt k h/1

Q/t k A h /1

q k A/1 h

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Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

The principal of the falling head parameter is illustrated in Fig. 2. Water is allowed to run

he times t1, t2, t3 etc. are noted when the dropping water level indicates readings h1,
h2, h3 etc.

(-dh), the negative sign indicating that the head is decreasing. The volume rate of flow is q
= a (-dh/dt).

-
v ki
q Aki
dh k h A
a
dt 1
h2 h2 t
dh k h A 1 kA
Integrating; a dh dt
h1 dt 1 h1
h al t 0

h2 k A t
a log e h h1
t t0
1
k A kA
log e h2 / h1 t t0 log e h1 / h2 t t0
a 1 al

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Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

3. Procedure

a. Constant Head Parameter

(1). Transfer the sand to the permeameter. During this process some water should be
added, to ensure that, there are no air bubbles trapped in the sand.
(2). Connect the inlet to the constant head water supply and allow water to pass
through, until the sample gets saturated.
(3). Watch on the water levels of the stand pipes. Wait until their levels become
constant (a steady state has been achieved). Once a steady state has been
achieved, record the time required to collect 1000ml of water.
(4). Note the pressure difference in manometers.

b. Falling Head Parameter

(1). Connect the water supply to graduated tube and open the valve to remove all the
air from the system.
(2). Record the water level in the Stand Pipe at time intervals of 5min or 10min as
appropriate.

Some Additional Data on the Permeameters

Distance between manometers in the constant head apparatus = 93 mm

Diameter of the soil sample in the constant head apparatus = 75 mm
Length of the soil sample in the falling head apparatus = 150 mm
Diameter of the soil sample in the falling head apparatus = 99.6 mm

Determination of the Coefficient of Permeability by the Constant Head Method

Amount of water collected = 1000 ml

Distance between the piezometers = 93 mm
Diameter of the sample = 75 mm

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Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

Time to collect
Rate of flow
Set Number 1000 ml water h1 cm h2 cm � h cm
m3/s
(sec)
1 20 65.1 95.1 30.0 5.00 E-05
2 25 70.1 94.1 24.0 4.00 E-05
3 30 66.1 86.1 20.0 3.33 E-05
4 35 72.1 89.2 17.1 2.86 E-05
5 40 82.1 97.1 15.0 2.50 E-05
6 45 90.1 103.4 13.3 2.22 E-05

Specimen Computation

h Ak
q Aki Ak h
l l
From the graph of q vs. h ;
5 5
5 10 2.5 10
Gradient = 1.666 10 6 m3/s cm
30 15

Ak
1.666 10 4
m3/s m
l
1.666 10 4
l 1.666 10 4
0.093
k m2/s
A 0.0075 2
4
k 3.51 10 3 m/s

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Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

Constant Head Test

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Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

Determination of the Coefficient of Permeability by the Falling Head Method

Diameter of the sample = 99.6 mm

Diameter of the stand pipe = 19 mm
Length of the sample = 150 mm
Level of the outlet = 33 cm
Water level h + 33
Time t (min) h0 h1 h0/h1 ln(h0/h1)
(h) (cm) (cm)
2:30 pm 0 90.0 123.0 123.0
2:35 pm 5 87.5 120.5 123.0 120.5 1.021 0.021
2:40 pm 10 85.1 118.1 123.0 118.1 1.041 0.041
2:45 pm 15 83.1 116.1 123.0 116.1 1.059 0.058
2:50 pm 20 80.6 113.6 123.0 113.6 1.083 0.080
2:55 pm 25 78.1 111.1 123.0 111.1 1.107 0.102
3:00 pm 30 76.4 109.4 123.0 109.4 1.124 0.117
3:05 pm 35 74.2 107.2 123.0 107.2 1.147 0.137
3:10 pm 40 72.2 105.2 123.0 105.2 1.169 0.156
3:15 pm 45 70.1 103.1 123.0 103.1 1.193 0.176
3:20 pm 50 68.1 101.1 123.0 101.1 1.217 0.196

Ak
ln h0 / h1 t1 t 0
al

From the plot of ln h0 / h1 vs t1 t0 ;

Ak 1
Gradient = 0.00039 min
al

0.0039 19 2 0.150
0.0039 a l 4
k = m/s
A
99.6 2 60
4

k 3.77 10 ms-1 7

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Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

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Department of Civil Engineering
Marking Scheme:
Measurements 35%:
Calculations & Results 25%:
Discussion 25%:
Coursework Presentation 15%:
University of Moratuwa
Precision, Reliability
Accuracy, Methodology, Presentation
Content, Arrangement, Presentation
Neatness, Clarity, Accordance to the format
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